Well... I'm back after a great time in Boston, home of mutant weather! and I shall now add my tuppence to the conversation.

I love this film. It's fair to say that it is (at least until TTT comes out ) the film of the year for me!

Everything worked! The romance made me go 'oh, how sweet!', the kiddies made me 'awww!' Yoda just ruled the whole film (best comment I've heard about this fighting style is 'gnat on acid!')

The characters we've already met were more rounded than before - the new ones were great (Jango rules!) and Dooku... although I heard obvious shades of Saruman... Chris Lee was brilliant! His 'tempting' of Obi-Wan, especially invoking the name of Qui-Gon... not a happy kitty!

As I saw it in Boston (Okay - Randolph!) I saw the head-butt the first time... that's because I was looking out for it! Ask me Monday as I'm going to go see it again at the weekend!

Where does it stand for me? Ask me again when it leaves the cinema - I loved TPM but I agree with Empire's verdict - 4 stars for TPM, 20 for AotC!

Two comments before I go...
i)'Across the Stars' is simply one of the most moving/haunting pieces of music I have ever heard!
ii) The Oscar for sound editing next year should go to Ben Burrt! - those sonic mines... good god!

Well aOTC was definitely better than some of Lucas's other efforts.
It's better than Howard the Duck without a doubt
I still don't think it matches Empire Strikes Back.
And no I'm not seeing that through rose tinted specs....I watched ESB again the other night, and that film is close to perfection IMHO

Hi. I'm pretty new to the whole Forum thing, but have posted a few messages before.
Anyway, I've seen AOTC twice so far, and I think it is Amazing. I loved TPM, unlike a lot of critics, but this is SOOOOO much better. Like ESB, it is much darker, and makes TPM look much more like a kids film.

AOTC has the Lightsaber Duels, the battles, and the romance. I just can't wait for the DVD (which I heard was October 26th).

Oh, and the "Across The Stars" music was amazing; although not as memorable as Duel Of The Fates. It has the element of Love, whilst retaining the Classic John Williams/Star Wars style.

Willow had good music, acting and genuinely scary (bad effects though). AOTC looked like a detective movie, the CGI characters looked pale except the Clone Troopers. The monsters looked camp. And I wished the ground assault was more upfront and less in the middle distance or background. The music score and music editing very lame. Still, I will see it over and over and over... MTFBWU.